Grassroots PC is grassroots

Here is a press release sent out last week by a John Ratchford:

Toronto, ON – The Together With Tory campaign responded to assertions made in today’s Globe and Mail:

“But [John Tory] is under new pressure form the party rank and file after the launch of the Grassroots PC campaign, the first organized effort to replace him.”

The story also quoted Nick Kouvalis: “This is really a battle between the grassroots and the party establishment.”

Rank and file? Grassroots?

There is nothing “rank and file” or “grassroots” about Reuben Devlin, Bart Maves or any of the other names associated with the effort to overturn the results of the last leadership election.

They are unelected, unaccountable and represent no one but themselves. Many are, in fact, professional lobbyists and consultants – the very antithesis of “grassroots.”

My response?

Reuben Delvin and most of the organizers of Grassroots PC have jobs and interests outside of the political arena. They don’t rely on any political leadership for their living and thus are not as easily stifled as so many of the PC’s best organizers. They have a massive amount of experience to be sure. It is that experience that is now giving voice to the previously silent discontent of the party membership.

John Tory has a proven track record of ignoring the membership. There was no real open policy process. There was no real consulting with local campaigns before the election. There was no consideration for the party volunteer base during the election at all.

If you ask which side is being more inclusive and is encouraging grassroot participation the true reality of the debate becomes clear.